Torn Driveshaft Boot
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola
Torn Driveshaft Boot
Well.. first of all, I hope this is the right place for this thread, but nonetheless here goes.
I notice a chirping sound coming from under my jeep (seemingly sounded like from the front) a couple of days ago. I finally got the chance last night to get under the jeep, and was totally expecting to find a loose bolt. However, I checked all of the likely control arm bolts, trackbar bolts, and even swaybar bolts. Nothing seemed to be loose. I did happen to notice though that the boot at the middle of the front driveshaft was separated from the lower "clamp". I guess this is what everyone calls torn? I've had the 3.5" RE lift on for over a year now with no issues and haven't been offroad with in quite some time.
Anyway, my questions are these?
1) Do I now have to replace the whole driveshaft? Threads on this subject seem to be quite confusing. It makes sense that now I'm "living on borrowed time" with an exposed slip joint, but can it be fixed? I haven't noticed any grease or anything that has come out of the joint. I'm almost thinking that perhaps a zip tie might be the solution, but surely it can't be that simple. Thoughts?
2) I found a Mopar Front Drive Shaft Boot Kit for sale from an online supplier. However, I can't find any installation instructions anywhere. Does anyone have any experience with this product or similar? It retails for about $25. Undoubtedly, it would be a better solution than the zip tie idea above.
3) I guess the 3rd option would be to replace the stock driveshaft with another used one. Thoughts?
4) And lastly, I suppose replacing the driveshaft altogether is the seemingly best answer, but if I can avoid the cost...
Thanks in advance for any input!
I notice a chirping sound coming from under my jeep (seemingly sounded like from the front) a couple of days ago. I finally got the chance last night to get under the jeep, and was totally expecting to find a loose bolt. However, I checked all of the likely control arm bolts, trackbar bolts, and even swaybar bolts. Nothing seemed to be loose. I did happen to notice though that the boot at the middle of the front driveshaft was separated from the lower "clamp". I guess this is what everyone calls torn? I've had the 3.5" RE lift on for over a year now with no issues and haven't been offroad with in quite some time.
Anyway, my questions are these?
1) Do I now have to replace the whole driveshaft? Threads on this subject seem to be quite confusing. It makes sense that now I'm "living on borrowed time" with an exposed slip joint, but can it be fixed? I haven't noticed any grease or anything that has come out of the joint. I'm almost thinking that perhaps a zip tie might be the solution, but surely it can't be that simple. Thoughts?
2) I found a Mopar Front Drive Shaft Boot Kit for sale from an online supplier. However, I can't find any installation instructions anywhere. Does anyone have any experience with this product or similar? It retails for about $25. Undoubtedly, it would be a better solution than the zip tie idea above.
3) I guess the 3rd option would be to replace the stock driveshaft with another used one. Thoughts?
4) And lastly, I suppose replacing the driveshaft altogether is the seemingly best answer, but if I can avoid the cost...
Thanks in advance for any input!
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
The boot issue is a problem on 2012 or newer JKs (looks like you have a 2009?). It is likely that yours is just worn. Do you see signs of the grease coming out? If so, it likely caused wear to the shaft and therefore may not be worth fixing the current shaft.
There is a kit similar to what you found, but about $50 and includes a new CV as well (I can probably dig up where to get it). Shouldn't be hard to do. You could also just see if you can find a lightly used stock shaft that someone is selling. Doubt it would cost much at all.
If there is no a specific reason you need one, I would not recommend an aftermarket shaft. Expensive, requires a little maintenance, and has the potential to cause driveline vibrations. The stock shafts are actually quite good and work very well for on-road driving. Keep it simple and stick with what works.
There is a kit similar to what you found, but about $50 and includes a new CV as well (I can probably dig up where to get it). Shouldn't be hard to do. You could also just see if you can find a lightly used stock shaft that someone is selling. Doubt it would cost much at all.
If there is no a specific reason you need one, I would not recommend an aftermarket shaft. Expensive, requires a little maintenance, and has the potential to cause driveline vibrations. The stock shafts are actually quite good and work very well for on-road driving. Keep it simple and stick with what works.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola
The boot issue is a problem on 2012 or newer JKs (looks like you have a 2009?). It is likely that yours is just worn. Do you see signs of the grease coming out? If so, it likely caused wear to the shaft and therefore may not be worth fixing the current shaft.
There is a kit similar to what you found, but about $50 and includes a new CV as well (I can probably dig up where to get it). Shouldn't be hard to do. You could also just see if you can find a lightly used stock shaft that someone is selling. Doubt it would cost much at all.
If there is no a specific reason you need one, I would not recommend an aftermarket shaft. Expensive, requires a little maintenance, and has the potential to cause driveline vibrations. The stock shafts are actually quite good and work very well for on-road driving. Keep it simple and stick with what works.
There is a kit similar to what you found, but about $50 and includes a new CV as well (I can probably dig up where to get it). Shouldn't be hard to do. You could also just see if you can find a lightly used stock shaft that someone is selling. Doubt it would cost much at all.
If there is no a specific reason you need one, I would not recommend an aftermarket shaft. Expensive, requires a little maintenance, and has the potential to cause driveline vibrations. The stock shafts are actually quite good and work very well for on-road driving. Keep it simple and stick with what works.
Yes. I have an '09 JKU. I didn't see any signs of grease coming out. Do you think the new boot slips (obviously, with some persuasion) over the end and slides down the driveshaft. I don't mind spending the $25 if it's a good idea and avoids having the replace the whole thing.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Kalifornia
The boot issue is a problem on 2012 or newer JKs (looks like you have a 2009?). It is likely that yours is just worn. Do you see signs of the grease coming out? If so, it likely caused wear to the shaft and therefore may not be worth fixing the current shaft.
There is a kit similar to what you found, but about $50 and includes a new CV as well (I can probably dig up where to get it). Shouldn't be hard to do. You could also just see if you can find a lightly used stock shaft that someone is selling. Doubt it would cost much at all.
If there is no a specific reason you need one, I would not recommend an aftermarket shaft. Expensive, requires a little maintenance, and has the potential to cause driveline vibrations. The stock shafts are actually quite good and work very well for on-road driving. Keep it simple and stick with what works.
There is a kit similar to what you found, but about $50 and includes a new CV as well (I can probably dig up where to get it). Shouldn't be hard to do. You could also just see if you can find a lightly used stock shaft that someone is selling. Doubt it would cost much at all.
If there is no a specific reason you need one, I would not recommend an aftermarket shaft. Expensive, requires a little maintenance, and has the potential to cause driveline vibrations. The stock shafts are actually quite good and work very well for on-road driving. Keep it simple and stick with what works.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
The boot protects the spline section from dirt and keeps it lubed. If you can keep it clean and lubed up you are fine without the boot. Aftermarket shafts don't include the boot but do have a grease point to keep it lubed up and to force dirt out of the splines.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Check the rzeppa joint on the front driveshaft where it bolts up to the transfer case. At 3.5" of lift you've likely worn it out. The tell-tale sign is grease spit and slung on the underside of the jeep tub directly above this joint.
Issue on the 2009 is when you have an auto and disconnect at about 3"+ the driveshaft can rub on the tranny pan and the rzeppa can't handle the angles and the boot fails. Looks like this:
Looks fairly normal except for the grease. When I took it off, looks like this!!!!
Sent from some string and a few tin cans.
Issue on the 2009 is when you have an auto and disconnect at about 3"+ the driveshaft can rub on the tranny pan and the rzeppa can't handle the angles and the boot fails. Looks like this:
Looks fairly normal except for the grease. When I took it off, looks like this!!!!
Sent from some string and a few tin cans.
